TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

TDS-297
Edition: November 6, 2002
Original Date: February 13, 2002

Carbopol® Ultrez 21 Polymer

INCI name: Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer

Product Overview Benefits

®
Carbopol Ultrez 21 Polymer is a hydrophobically
modified crosslinked polyacrylate polymer designed
to efficiently impart thickening, stabilizing, and
suspending properties to a variety of personal care
applications. The polymer incorporates patented
technology, which allows it to quickly and easily self-
wet – without any mixing required. (Please note that
typical mixing/agitation is needed to make a final
product).
Physical Properties
Physical properties of Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer are
listed in Table 1 and indicate typical values and
properties; they are not intended to be used as
product specifications.
Table 1
Carbopol® Ultrez 21 Polymer
Typical Properties
(not to be used as specification)
• Appearance white powder
• Odor mild acrylic odor
• Total solids 100%
• pH (in water)
In addition to the benefits that all powdered
Carbopol polymers provide, which include
thickening, yield value, shear thinning rheology
and favorable toxicology profile, Carbopol
Ultrez 21 polymer offers the following benefits:
• Rapid wetting …
Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer has self-wetting
properties similar to Carbopol Ultrez 10
polymer. Dispersion of 0.5% Carbopol Ultrez
21 polymer can self-wet within minutes without
any mixing.
• High thickening efficiency …
Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer provides more
efficient thickening than other Carbopol
polymers, such as Carbopol 934, Carbopol
940 and Carbopol 980 polymers (see Figure
1). For instance, a reduction of about 15%
polymer is recommended when using
Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer to achieve a
similar viscosity in most emulsion formulas.
Figure 1 – Mucilage Viscosity
100,000
3 90,000
Viscosity, cP (mPa.s)

80,000
• 0.5% mucilage* 55,000 mPa·s 70,000
viscosity at 20 rpm 60,000 Ultrez 21

• 0.5% dispersion 3 minutes 50,000 980

40,000 940
wetting time 30,000
934
• 0.5% mucilage* clarity ~ 95 20,000
10,000
(% Transmission): 0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
* A mucilage is defined as an active polymer dispersion
in water neutralized with a base, preferably NaOH, to Polymer Concentration (wt %)
a specified pH.
pH = 6.3 - 7.5
Brookfield RVT @ 20 rpm

Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc. / 9911 Brecksville Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44141-3247 / TEL: 800.379.5389 or 216.447.5000
The information contained herein is being furnished combination with other substances or in the User’s process. THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
for informational purposes only, upon the express condition Due to variations in methods, conditions and equipment OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. It is the
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use of such information. While the information contained warranties or guarantees are made as to the suitability of issues relating to patent infringement of any component or
herein is believed to be reliable, no representations, the information or products for the applications combination of components relating to the supplied
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 TDS-297
Carbopol® Ultrez 21 Polymer
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• Improved electrolyte tolerance … Using No Agitation (Self-Wetting) - Preferred

Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer provides superior electro- This is the preferred method of dispersion and
lyte tolerance compared to most Carbopol polymers, will result in less entrapped air.
resulting in improved clarity and higher viscosity in
electrolyte containing systems. In most situations, Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer
can simply be “sprinkled” onto the surface of the
Figure 2 – Salt Tolerance water without any special equipment or handling.
100,000 The powder will wet and drop below the surface
90,000
80,000
in minutes. When there is no visible white
Viscosity, cP (mPa·s)

70,000
Ultrez 21
powder on the water surface, mixing can begin.
60,000
50,000 Ultrez 10
40,000 Using Moderate to High Agitation
30,000 980
20,000 Dispersions can also be prepared by slowly
10,000 sifting the polymer into the vortex of a rapidly
0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
stirred solution, although this technique may
NaCl Concentration (wt %)
entrap more air.
Brookfield RVT @ 20 rpm Techniques or devices which sprinkle the
powder as discrete particles are the most
• Excellent clarity … effective. The ideal method should efficiently
Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer provides excellent clarity to sprinkle the polymer at a controlled rate as well
applications such as hair gels and hand sanitizers. as break-up the soft agglomerates of dry powder
formed by static electricity or humid conditions.
• Smooth aesthetic appearance … This allows each particle to completely wet out in
Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer provides a non-grainy the water vortex.
glossy appearance to gels and emulsions similar to gels
and emulsions made with Carbopol 940 and 934 In general, high shear rates disperse the
polymers. polymer very rapidly; however, extremely high
shear mixers or homogenizers should be
• Superior skin feel … carefully employed because they can break
Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer is less tacky than other down the polymer molecule - resulting in
Carbopol polymers. permanent viscosity loss. Moderate agitation
• Broad application use … equipment is the preferred choice. Conventional
Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer has the best overall impellers such as propellers or turbines are
performance in a wide variety of applications when recommended.
compared with other Carbopol polymers. Wetting Time, Dispersion Viscosity, and
Others
Suggested Applications The total wetting time is dependent upon the
Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer can be used in a wide amount of Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer added,
variety of applications, such as: vessel geometry, and most importantly, water
• Hair Styling Gels temperature. When the Carbopol Ultrez 21
• Hand and Body Lotions polymer dispersion is first neutralized, the
• Baby Lotions surface texture may have a grainy “applesauce”
• Hand Sanitizers appearance. Over the next 30-60 minutes, the
• Moisturizing Gels neutralized gel clusters continue to relax and
• Sunscreen Lotions expand. Light mixing will yield a smooth gel.
• Bath Gels Some users choose to predisperse Carbopol
• Shampoos Ultrez 21 polymer in water and then add this
dispersion to their formulation mix tank. Unlike
Processing Guidelines the traditional Carbopol polymers, Carbopol
The development of the self-wetting technology has Ultrez 21 polymer can be dispersed at
greatly improved the dispersability of Carbopol polymers concentrations up to 6% and still remain
- especially in water. These polymers behave differently pumpable. See Figure 3.
in their dispersion as well as hydration rates and need
to be processed and handled in a slightly different
manner.
 TDS-297
Carbopol® Ultrez 21 Polymer
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Figure 3 – Dispersion Viscosity Figure 5 – Effect of pH on Viscosity

90,000
70,000
80,000
60,000
Viscosity, cP (mPa·s)

70,000

Viscosity, cP (mPa·s)
Ultrez 21
60,000 50,000
Ultrez 10
50,000 40,000
ETD 2020
40,000 30,000
ETD 2050
30,000 20,000
20,000 10,000
10,000 0
0 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 pH
Polymer Concentration (wt %) NaOH - 18 (wt %)
Brookfield RVT @ 20 rpm

Ultrez 21 Ultrez 10 ETD 2001 980 940

Because of the high viscosity, the addition of the
Under high shear agitation, dispersions of Carbopol neutralizing agent is often best added towards
Ultrez 21 polymer can stabilize entrapped air. Antifoam, the end of the batch cycle. For formulations with
at use levels of 0.02 - 0.05%, can be added to the water high levels of electrolytes or surfactants, the
prior to the Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer in order to addition of a small amount of the neutralizer to
minimize or eliminate foaming. the Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer dispersion is
beneficial (partial neutralization).
Figure 4 – Effect of Water Temperature on Wetting Time
Different neutralizers can be used, and different
6
amounts are needed for the dispersion to reach a
pH value of 7.0. Table 2 provides the weight
Wetting Time (minutes)

5
ratios of commonly used neutralizers vs. Carbopol
4 Ultrez 21 polymer to achieve pH 7.
3
For a complete list of neutralizers that can be
2
used with Carbopol polymers, see TDS-237 -
1
Neutralizing Carbopol and Pemulen® Polymers
0 in Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Systems.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Water Temperature (°C) Table 2
*Note: Some large undispersed particles were observed at 60°C
Weight ratios
®
of commonly used neutralizers vs.
Recommended Dispersion Temperature: 25 - 55°C Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer to achieve pH 7
Weight Ratio –
Neutralizer Trade Neutralizer INCI
Water temperature can help speed the dispersion and Neutralizer /
Name/Supplier Name
Carbopol Ultrez 21
®
swelling process. With traditional carbomers, warm
water is avoided because of lumping problems it incurs. TEA (99%) Triethanolamine 1.5 / 1.0
With Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer, however, any heating AMP-95® / Angus Aminomethyl 0.9 / 1.0
needed for formulation can begin before or during the Propanol
dispersion process. As figure 4 shows, the wetting time Neutrol® TE / BASF Tetrahydroxypropyl 2.3 / 1.0
Ethylenediamine
of the polymer decreases with warmer temperatures to
NaOH (18%) Sodium Hydroxide 2.3 / 1.0
about 55°°C. Once above this temperature, the effect is
Diisopropanolamine / Diisopropanolamine 1.2 / 1.0
reversed and lumping may result. Dow

Formulating Guidelines Preservation

In most situations, Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer should Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer does not support
be added to the water at the start of the batch cycle. bacteria or fungal growth, but neither does it
This will allow it time to thoroughly wet out and disperse. prevent such growth on nutrients found in normal
At this point, the pH will be about 3 with a very low water systems. The addition of a preservative is
viscosity. recommended for applications inclined to these
issues.
Neutralization
Upon neutralization, the Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer
instantly thickens as shown in Figure 5.
 TDS-297
Carbopol® Ultrez 21 Polymer
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Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer is compatible with most

preservatives, such as Germaben® II, DMDM
Hydantoin, Dowicil® 200, Parabens and Phenonip®.
Phenonip® has limited solubility in clear gel
formulations, which may result in reduced clarity.

Compatibility
The viscosity of products with Carbopol Ultrez 21
polymer is moderately sensitive to ions. Increased
levels of monovalent ions (like sodium) will result in a
decrease in application viscosity. The effect can be
minimized by the use of potassium salts or amine
neutralizing agents. Di-and multivalent ions (like calcium
and magnesium) will precipitate Carbopol polymers.
Therefore, formulating with deionized (or at least soft)
water is highly recommended.

Due to its anionic nature, Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer

has limited compatibility with cationic formulating
materials.

Handling and Storage

Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer is supplied in 20-kilogram
cardboard boxes.

In the dry form, Carbopol Ultrez 21 polymer is stable for

a long period of time. It is important, however, to keep
the containers tightly closed to prevent moisture pick-
up.

See the Material Safety Data Sheet for Carbopol Ultrez

21 polymer for further information on the proper
handling and safety aspects of this product.